A college student tragically lost his life just eight days after celebrating his graduation, after eating a late-night snack.
Timothy Myles Howard, 22, passed away on May 24 after suffering a severe anaphylactic reaction at his family home in Southborough, Massachusetts.
His devastated mother, Patty Howard, broke the heartbreaking news in an emotional Facebook post, which read: “It is with heavy hearts we share the loss of our son Timmy to a severe anaphylactic reaction to peanuts.
"We just celebrated his college graduation, and he had his whole life ahead of him. Our hearts are broken and we now have joined a club no one wants to be apart of," she added.
Howard had just earned his degree in Communication Studies from the University of Rhode Island on May 16. The post-graduation high turned into a nightmare when he unknowingly consumed a snack contaminated with peanuts late one evening.
His parents, Patty and Tim Howard, were jolted awake when their son came into their room, gasping for air. “He came in and woke us up, and said that he couldn’t breathe,” Tim Howard told NBC affiliate 10WJAR. “And at that point, it unfolded very quickly over a matter of minutes.”
His parents administered multiple EpiPens and called 911, but his father said: “The reaction was too far gone".
They still don’t know exactly how much of the allergen was in the snack or what it was. But the impact was catastrophic.
Patty’s Facebook post came just eight days after she shared photos of her late son proudly beaming at graduation.
In the wake of his death, she encouraged others to “hug your children a little tighter today, don't sweat the small stuff, and spread kindness to this world.”
Howard’s fraternity brothers from Phi Kappa Psi launched a fundraiser in his memory, supporting Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) with the aim of preventing more tragedies like this. The page has already surpassed $27,500.
“Timmy was just beginning what promised to be a remarkable journey in life,” the tribute reads. “He was driven, kind, and deeply loved by family, friends, and everyone who had the joy of knowing him. He had so much ahead of him, and he approached life with a rare kind of kindness and light. He was the person you could always count on to listen - really listen.”
The fundraiser also urges others to consider becoming organ donors, something Howard himself was.
Howard’s obituary describes him as a “genuinely kind-hearted, humble, loving and empathetic soul” with a “passion for sports.” He was known for his deep love for his high school friends, cousins, and his Phi Kappa Psi fraternity brothers.
He especially cherished growing up with his “Foley Crew,” a tight-knit group of neighborhood friends who remained close through the years.
A memorial service was held on May 30 in Brewster, Massachusetts, where Howard was remembered by his parents, sister, grandmother, and extended family.
His mother continues to navigate the pain “one day at a time,” writing: “It is not goodbye forever, it is until we meet again! We will always love our Timmy.”